When I think of slow-cookers, I automatically think of warm winter soups and stews. In fact, I associate slow-cooker recipes so heavily with winter that I rarely use it any other time of the year. As soon as May rolls around, I pack the little guy up, put it in my closet, and forget about it until the weather cools down again.

This year—as I was about to put it away like I usually do—something occurred to me. A lot of the the foods you'd expect to find at any self-respecting summer party can totally be made in a slow-cooker. Corn on the cob, cheese dip, chicken wings, pulled pork—these are all summer foods! And, because slow-cookers don't heat up your kitchen like an oven or stovetop might, you can make these summer staples when it's hot out without getting gross and sweaty.

Not sure where to start when it comes to summertime slow-cooking? Try one of these 11 recipes.